UMass Dartmouth vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in North Dartmouth, MA with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (7,968 students vs. 3,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is located in North Dartmouth, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 16:1; Messiah University 12:1.

UMass Dartmouth vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass Dartmouth or Messiah University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth than Messiah University ($21,094 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 29.5% lower than at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth ($13,098 vs. $18,566).
• Messiah University is 170.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass Dartmouth (about $26,628 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $15,612.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at Messiah University than at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (about $9,673 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $32,567.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 128% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Dartmouth students ($26,576 vs. $11,658).

UMass Dartmouth vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass Dartmouth or Messiah University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Messiah University and UMass Dartmouth.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 70 points higher than at UMass Dartmouth (1160).
• Incoming UMass Dartmouth students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Messiah University (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 1050/1270; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 26/30; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass Dartmouth - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at UMass Dartmouth (3.37).
• UMass Dartmouth has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Messiah University (79%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at UMass Dartmouth vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

UMass Dartmouth vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass Dartmouth and Messiah University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Messiah University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of about $400 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates have a $229 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($25,760 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, UMass Dartmouth graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($266 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass Dartmouth students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.